Apples2

Thanks for the support, Janet. I have a question for you. It's off the subject. After losing your weight, how do you feel about the condition of your skin...do you have sagging? or are you one of the lucky ones?

Tom...happy to hear you lost 3lbs and decided against the steak. Hang in there, Bud! Not only are you shrinking your liver in prep for surgery, you are preparing yourself to be strong after your surgery and the liquids for awhile. What pushed me over the edge to have this surgery was lab reports of an extremely fatty liver. I want to be around for my grandkids (If my sons would get off their asses and produce some).

I don't know if I will be able to give up coffee. I know I can cut back on it but I just love a cup in the morning. My dr. says to cut out caffeine for six weeks after surgery. So many drs., so many different opinions!

I'm staying on plan today because when I don't I go to bed feeling yucky and wake up feeling yucky (both emotionally and physically yucky)!

Thank you for the support, Cindi. I am ready for all of this to take place. Been looking at doing this for three years and feel that I am fully prepared for what's ahead.

I also look forward to taking this journey with you, Cathy. Sounds like our surgeries won't be too far apart from each other (if I get approved). I am ready to get the band and start the next phase....we'll talk soon. The other Karen

Karey..just had a chance to read your post about taking a pain medication and then having trouble. I will tell you a situation I had and then you make the decision based on how you feel. I had surgery on an ankle a few years ago. B/4 I left the hospital 4 days later, I swallowed a pain medication. Two days later I had terrible heartburn and nausea. This persisted another day. Called my GP and he had me immediately go to the ER. The medication had eroded through my esophagas (sp?). I would suggest that you call your local hospital and talk to a dr. or nurse on duty to see if they think you should be looked at. I don't mean to scare you but your symptoms sounded so similar to mine. All I know is I waited too long and it took me more time to recover than if I would have called my dr. when I had the earlier symptoms. I am hoping by this time you are feeling better and there will be no need to be concerned. Good luck

I am in my 5th month of the 6 month ins required diet. I decided from the start to stick to a plan close to what I would be doing after surgery. It was fairly tough the first month but after that just became somewhat routine. Now I am so happy that I did this. I have a feeling that it has prepared me for what I am in for after surgery. I know that I will most likely be hungry for awhile after surgery but I am so used to this feeling. I started Nov 20 and am down 46lbs. This diet has prepared me and also this forum. I felt like I was left out to sea all alone when I first started. I have gotten so much info from this site. Good luck and I believe the band is a tool to help a person succeed. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!

Hey...I got the OK to remodel half my house after a little session with my hubby. I think it's about time to remodel the other half!

Thanks for the info on the protein powder, Janet. 24g is right up there and makes it possible to get the recommended daily dose of protein. I am compiling info on different protein powders for when I need to do my liquid pre-op and post-op. I just gag at the thought of drinking protein shakes but think I can do it if there is no taste. Again, thanks

God bless people that DON'T judge others but I think they are few and far between. When we truly do not understand someone else's plight, we tend to judge. I bet most of us have witnessed it multiple times in our "overweight lives". Having knowledge is the key to understanding the people in this world that struggle with various "disorders" and addictions. I am thankful to my LBT family. I can come here and talk and not feel judged. Welcome Lainey. I hope you continue to come to this forum for support and wish you luck and hope that all your stars align.

You pretty much covered it, Jack. Appreciate your statement about WLS took out the joy of overeating.

Hi Cathy, Welcome. I wish you luck with your pre-op process and then with your banded journey. I,too, am waiting for my band. I expect to be banded the end of May or early June if I am approved by my insurance company. They require a six month medically supervised diet. It's been going OK and actually I am thankful for the six mo. prep time. It's given me a chance to acclimate. I am also thankful for this forum. I have had a lot of questions answered. I look forward to seeing your posts in the future.

All good advice on the above posts. I have yet to have a band date. I am on the six month medically supervised diet. (I would say it is just a self-supervised diet). The only requirement was to see the nutritionist once for 15 minutes. Was handled a 2 page copy (vague) of what foods to eat during liquid and mushy stages and what not to eat when I finally get to solids. I can tell you that 3 months ago I was scared. Then I came upon this forum. Just read everything I could and that's what has really helped me adjust to what I am in for. This forum plus sticking to a diet that is similar to how I will be eating when I am on solids after banded. I do wish I would have had a behavior mod classes to support me through this process. Just that extra help would have at least make me feel that what I am doing counts. I have felt that I have been just hanging in limbo with not a lot of support other than from LBT. Good luck and hope your required courses are a help for you.

My surgeon gave me a surgery date b/4 getting approval also. I would say that your surgeon is pretty confident that you will be approved!

Like LJM said...the Avenue. They have some good sale items right now. I am down about 45lbs and really needed some things but didn't want to over-do it cuz knew I would only wear them for awhile. Bought 5 tops at 14.99 each and a couple of slacks. It will get me by. We also have a nice consignment shop in our small town and picked up a few things there. The worst for me is getting bras to fit right now. PITA! Hey...all this is not a bad problem to have! At least we are losing.

Karey...happy to hear that you are post surgery. Just want to wish you quick healing.

Could never understand why I could ever want to have sex again with my husband after watching him JUST STANDING THERE DOING NOTHING while I was giving birth!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbdown:

LJM...your DH sounds like he loves the heck out of you. I can speak from experience on the intimacy after him seeing you with all your cuts and such. I had two major surgeries and after getting home from the hospital, needed help with almost everything. My DH had to do things for me that I don't even like to do for myself, if you get my drift. Totally embarrassed and wondered how he could look at me the same after it was all over and healed. Well, good news! Everything was just fine in the intimacy department. When someone loves you, they will do whatever it takes. This is just a bump in the road on your travels with him. Just look forward to the days when this is all behind you. You have been down a very long road and I can only speak for myself but I am very impressed by everything you have done for yourself (and to share it with the rest of us is truly wonderful). Hang in there and hope your your symptoms subside soon.

My husband offered to pay if the insurance company denies me for some reason. The way I see it, we have paid premiums for over 30 years to the same company (we are self employed) and worth jumping through a few hoops if they will cover it. I do understand that not everyone's plan covers lap surgery and do admire people that self-pay. Makes a person very determined to make things work. Good luck to you.

Yep, won't have my band for at least three months and love it already. Kind of like adopting a child. You prepare and just know it's one of the best things you will ever do and when the time comes, you are already in love

Lise...hope things went well for you. Looking forward to seeing how things went for you

Yep, Faith, I stand corrected. I can see where that was misunderstood. I do understand that LJM knows that she is absolutely swollen all to hell. Was just making a comment that in the photo she did not look swollen. After you commented on my statement, I knew exactly where you were coming from. I guess I missed that 9" part. Sorry.

I agree with Kat...look into doing the six month pre-op medically supervised diet. I am starting my 5th month....not so bad. These months have given me the time I needed to get my head in order as to what I am doing. I, too, was really gung-ho...wanting to do the surgery right away. Now I am so happy I have had this time to just absorb instead of jumping in right away. Good luck no matter what you decide.

Hazel...got you wrote in on a post-it on my computer for the 14th. Take some time for yourself b/4 your surgery. Get rested up, go for lunch with a friend, get a manicure, etc. Good luck and God bless